The Emperor’s Intentions!

In no time at all, Lu Xiucai had already poured Lord Lou a cup of tea, moving with an efficiency unlike his usual self.

Meanwhile, Lord Lou held Li Dazui’s hand and made small talk.

Lord Lou was Li Dazui’s uncle by marriage. Everyone in Seven Heroes Town knew that, but they also knew how much Lord Lou usually looked down on Li Dazui, so no one took it seriously.

But today was different. With Lord Lou’s grand arrival, everyone along the way learned that Tongfu Inn had wiped out demons.

This was no small matter. It could even affect Lord Lou’s official career. At this moment, Li Dazui was no different from Lord Lou’s own nephew.

The two chatted merrily like a father and son reunited after years apart, until Tong Xiangyu appeared and broke the mood.

Tong Xiangyu had changed into proper clothes and brought Guo Furong downstairs. She walked up to Lord Lou and greeted him. Only then did Lord Lou release Li Dazui’s hand and take Tong Xiangyu’s instead…

"Shopkeeper Tong is both beautiful and intelligent, and every one of your staff is capable. With talents like you here, Seven Heroes Town can only prosper more and more!"

Lord Lou began offering his condolences in the tone of a superior, as though it were part of the formal procedure. After the pleasantries, he began presenting Reward Orders on behalf of the Emperor.

Everyone knelt.

As if recalling something, Tong Xiangyu hurriedly said, "There’s still someone in the back courtyard."

Lord Lou froze for a moment, then nodded. "Go call him quickly. This is a major matter. If he misses it, he’ll regret it for the rest of his life."

Tong Xiangyu was just about to rise when Guo Furong stopped her. Shaking her head, she said, "Don’t waste the time. My senior brother won’t come. He’s hated scenes like this since he was little!"

"How can that be?!" Tong Xiangyu said anxiously. "Ordinary people might never come into contact with a Reward Order in their entire lives. This is a rare opportunity!"

"My family has plenty of things like that." Guo Furong stood up, looking rather bored. She complained, "When I was little, my father often used those things to spank me. I always tried to avoid them. I don’t want one at all."

Lord Lou was an old hand in officialdom. From Guo Furong’s bearing and expression, he could tell that she was not lying. Curious, he asked, "May I ask who your honored father is?"

Guo Furong openly revealed Guo Juxia’s name.

Her adventure in the Jianghu was more or less over anyway, so there was no need to keep hiding it.

With Six Doors’ intelligence network, Guo Juxia had surely learned of last night’s events before Lord Lou did. Guo Furong suspected he might already be on his way.

After Guo Furong announced her background, the inn fell briefly silent. Then sharp breaths were drawn one after another.

Even the steady Lord Lou could not help but drastically change expression.

He had thought she might have some backing, but he had never expected it to be this formidable!

Lord Lou’s eyes shifted, and he laughed loudly. "This lowly official has been disrespectful. So you are Hero Guo’s beloved daughter. This lowly official had long heard that Hero Guo had a daughter as beautiful as a flower. Now that I see you today, the rumors were indeed true."

A smile spread across Guo Furong’s face. Being praised always made people happy.

Old Xing looked at Lord Lou as though he were an idol. In just this short time, he had learned the way to promotion.

Compared to Lord Lou, his own skill at flattering people was nothing more than a minor witch before the Great Witch.

To make his target feel so comfortable in such a short time, Lord Lou could only be called truly experienced.

"You can have this Reward Order. I’ll pass. It belongs to the Divine Constable Department, and taking it would make me uncomfortable."

Guo Furong refused again.

Thinking of the irreconcilable relationship between Six Doors and the Divine Constable Department, Lord Lou immediately understood and did not press her. He bestowed the Reward Orders upon Tong Xiangyu and the others.

At that moment, they had truly brought honor to their ancestors.

Bai Zhantang was not the only one who needed this. For Lu Xiucai, with a Reward Order in hand, even if his imperial examination results were mediocre, he could still become an official and fulfill the hopes his ancestors had placed upon him.

Meanwhile, just as Guo Furong had expected, Guo Juxia was already on the road to Seven Heroes Town.

And he was not the only one. Several other groups were also on their way.

Such a grand mobilization was for no other reason.

It was all for Prince Chu Yang.

The capital.

Within the Forbidden City, in the Imperial Study.

There were three people in the room.

The Emperor sat before his desk, reading a Dibao report concerning Chu Yang. Beside him stood two powerful eunuchs who held sway over the realm.

Cao Zhengchun, Director of the Eastern Depot, and Wei Zhongxian, Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs.

"No matter how dissolute he is in ordinary times, he was still made a prince while Father Emperor was alive. He is My imperial brother!"

"If I refuse to let him die, then he cannot die!"

The Emperor flew into a rage and hurled the Dibao report in his hand to the floor!

A proper prince had nearly died at the hands of demons. It would be a disgrace to the imperial family if word got out. How could he not be furious?

Wei Zhongxian, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs at the Emperor’s side, laughed softly. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Prince Xian has always been absurd and reckless. Fortunately, heavenly lightning descended to destroy the demons. It was a blessing amid misfortune."

"Prince Xian? Hmph!" The Emperor seemed to have touched upon a sensitive subject. His expression abruptly changed, and his gaze turned vicious. "Before Father Emperor had even named a crown prince, he could not wait to grant him the title Prince Xian. Heh, what a Prince Xian! That was Father Emperor’s own title in his youth."

"This shows Father Emperor’s intentions at the time. If not for that sudden illness, it would still be unknown what My fate would be today."

Seeing the Emperor in a foul mood, Wei Zhongxian hurriedly flattered him. "Why should Your Majesty trouble yourself over old matters? Prince Xian is nothing but a useless man now. He poses no threat to you whatsoever."

Cao Zhengchun raised an eyebrow and cast Wei Zhongxian a glance as if looking at a dead man, then immediately lowered his head.

The very next second, the Emperor stared at Wei Zhongxian and said coldly, "If he is useless, then what does that make Me, his imperial brother? And what does that make Father Emperor?"

As the Emperor’s voice grew increasingly icy, Wei Zhongxian immediately fell to his knees in terror. "This servant misspoke!"

The Emperor took a deep breath and instantly returned to his usual calmness. "Go receive fifty strokes yourself. With your physique, you should be able to endure them."

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s boundless grace!" Wei Zhongxian kowtowed frantically, then silently withdrew from the Imperial Study to obediently receive his punishment outside.

Seeing his bedraggled state, Cao Zhengchun’s lips curled into a cold smile.

No matter how much the Emperor hated him, that was still a matter within the imperial family. How could a servant dare to speak out of turn!

Wei Zhongxian had been promoted by Cao Zhengchun himself. But after becoming Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, he had grown cold and dismissive toward Cao Zhengchun, seemingly wishing to establish his own faction. Cao Zhengchun had already begun treating him as a political enemy.

The more mistakes Wei Zhongxian made like this, the better!

"Cao Zhengchun!"

"This servant is here!"

"Tell Me, how is My imperial brother’s luck?"

"Prince Xian is blessed by heaven, but once he enters a gambling house, it becomes an entirely different story."

"Hahaha! The money he has lost from childhood to now would be enough to open hundreds of gambling houses!"

"Your Majesty should advise Prince Xian."

"Forget it! Eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling are the roots of his life. Even Father Emperor would be helpless!"

By then, cold sweat was already streaming down Cao Zhengchun’s forehead. He did not dare continue the conversation and silently prayed that the topic would pass.

Yet after a brief silence, the Emperor suddenly spoke. Just one sentence made Cao Zhengchun’s heart pound wildly.

"Do you think that demon was really struck dead by heavenly lightning?"

When Cao Zhengchun left the Imperial Study, his back was already soaked through. Trembling with fear, he glanced back at the doors before quickly leaving without looking back.

The entire Imperial Study was like a savage beast waiting to devour someone.

Among all civil and military officials, only he and Wei Zhongxian knew the Emperor’s true nature. Even the two marquises most trusted by the Emperor did not know.

That was why Cao Zhengchun was always walking on thin ice whenever he and Wei Zhongxian were alone with him.

Most people thought the Emperor was weak-willed, easily swayed, and worse than a fence-sitter. Today he supported this side, tomorrow that side, turning the forces of the Imperial Court into a web of bewildering complexity.

But no one realized that all these factions constantly crushing one another had never affected the power in the Emperor’s hands…

Even after returning to the Eastern Depot, Cao Zhengchun could not shake off his fear. The question the Emperor had left behind kept echoing in his ears. For all these years, he had been responsible for watching Chu Yang.

Everyone in the capital knew Prince Xian had always been absurd and reckless. What was there to watch?

As time passed, Cao Zhengchun had grown too lazy to waste effort on him.

Compared to a Prince Xian who could not stir up even a ripple, he had far too many important enemies to deal with.

For example, Yu Huatian of the Western Depot and Zheng Dongliu, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Both were his mortal enemies.

Not to mention that when the Late Emperor was still alive, he had also clashed with the Iron-Hearted Marquis of Dragon Guard Villa. He had enemies everywhere.

He could barely protect himself. How could he have time to care about a useless man!

But at this moment, Cao Zhengchun gradually understood. In the Imperial Study, the Emperor had been killing the chicken to warn the monkey. Wei Zhongxian was the innocent chicken, while he himself was the Emperor’s real target.

All because of Prince Xian!

You failed to handle what I assigned you. Today Wei Zhongxian receives the paddle. Tomorrow, Cao Zhengchun, it will be your head that falls!

Thinking of this, Cao Zhengchun broke out in a cold sweat and felt as though he were sitting on needles. He immediately ordered his men to summon the chief of the Eastern Depot.

About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later.

A travel-worn Cao Shaoqin entered from outside. He dropped to one knee, cupped his fists, and respectfully bowed to Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Shaoqin’s father was Cao Zhengchun’s elder brother. During the famine years, the Cao family had kept the eldest son to carry on the family line and sent the younger son into the palace. Unexpectedly, Cao Zhengchun had flourished within the palace.

When the Cao family saw Cao Zhengchun rise to power, they immediately sought to curry favor with him. Cao Zhengchun was ruthless, though, and gave them a difficult choice: if they wanted to claim kinship with him, they had to send the Cao family’s only remaining heir into the palace to accompany him.

That family was ruthless as well. Cao Zhengchun’s elder brother and father agreed without hesitation. Thus, Cao Shaoqin entered the palace at a young age, was raised at Cao Zhengchun’s side, and became the current chief of the Eastern Depot.

Cao Zhengchun held nothing back from this nephew, passing the complete Tiangang Child Skill on to him.

Cao Shaoqin possessed extraordinary talent and enjoyed studying swordsmanship. His attacks were exceptionally ruthless and merciless. Combined with the powerful defense of the Tiangang Child Skill, he had no weaknesses in either offense or defense. Among the Two Bureaus and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, very few could defeat him.

Ma Jinliang, chief of the Western Depot, was also skilled with the sword, and he used a pair of them. The two often fought openly and secretly in private, but most of the time, Cao Shaoqin held the advantage.

"May I ask what Uncle wishes to instruct Shaoqin to do?"

"You are to make a trip outside the capital. You must personally bring Prince Xian back to the capital. Remember! I said personally!"

"Uncle, why did Prince Xian leave the capital when everything was fine?"

"I heard he was tricked out by the Guo family’s eldest daughter. That little brat spends all day shouting about roaming the Jianghu. Her kung fu is not even worth one of her father’s toes. If not for her father’s sake, I would have killed her long ago!"

"Please calm your anger, Uncle. Our Eastern Depot has already made enemies on all sides. Further offending Guo Bu Jing would be unwise."

"Hmph! Do you need to tell Me that? The one surnamed Guo is a clever man. He never makes enemies with anyone and never shows joy or anger on his face. Whatever the Emperor orders, he does it. He truly leaves no openings…"

"Uncle once said that when honest people get angry, they are the most terrifying."

Cao Zhengchun had finished giving his instructions and was about to wave Cao Shaoqin away when a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He asked, "Do you think that after all these years, Prince Xian might have hidden something?"

Cao Shaoqin froze for a moment, then decisively shook his head. "I have seen Prince Xian practicing martial arts. To be honest, he truly has no talent whatsoever. On top of that, he is naturally lazy. At most, he practices only a few days a month. It would already be a miracle if he had managed to get started with the Surging Wave Palm."

Upon hearing that, Cao Zhengchun finally relaxed. His entire body no longer remained tense, and his tone became casual. "Then go quickly. Remember, no matter who tries to interfere, only the Eastern Depot may bring Prince Xian back to the capital!"

"Your nephew understands!" Cao Shaoqin bowed and turned to leave, his cloak snapping loudly in the wind.

Once the Eastern Depot moved, its mortal enemy, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, moved as well. Their actions naturally could not escape the Western Depot, which oversaw them both.

For a time, the small capital became a swirling storm of hidden currents and excitement.

Northern Garrison Office.

A plaque reading "Justice Resides in the Human Heart" hung in the center of the main hall.

With his hands behind his back, Zheng Dongliu stared at the plaque as a commander entered from outside.

"Commander, Cao Shaoqin and Ma Jinliang have both left the capital. Should we send people as well?"

"Send Left Commander to watch the show."

"This subordinate will notify Left Commander at once."

"Wait! Tell Li Gexiao too."

"Commander… Brother Li is no longer with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?"

"Whether Li Gexiao is part of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is for Me to decide!"

Amid Zheng Dongliu’s roar, the unfortunate commander ran out as though his butt had caught fire.

Seven Heroes Town.

Chu Yang slept for an entire day and did not emerge from the back rooms until evening approached.

A familiar voice could be heard berating someone in the main hall.

"Your usual nonsense is one thing, but this time you nearly got someone killed!"

"I’m telling you, if a demon had killed you, you would have deserved it. But do not drag innocent people down with you!"

The harsh words pierced Guo Furong’s heart like sharp swords.

She had thought her father would properly comfort her, but all she heard were taunts and ridicule.

Guo Furong knelt on the ground and cried softly. No one beside her dared say a word.

Guo Bu Jing was so furious because Guo Furong had dragged Chu Yang into this. If Prince Xian had died in Seven Heroes Town, even exterminating the Guo family would not have been excessive.

The one thing that comforted Guo Bu Jing was that Guo Furong had been willing to sacrifice herself to save others at the critical moment. At least she had not disgraced him.

And Chu Yang…

He had always looked down on this ignorant and incompetent Prince Xian, but after hearing about last night, he could not help feeling shaken.

Just as Guo Bu Jing was about to give Guo Furong a proper lesson, Chu Yang was already standing in the main hall, smiling at him.

Guo Bu Jing was about to bow when he saw Chu Yang gently shake his head. He immediately changed his movement.

Only the experienced Bai Zhantang noticed this, and his heart instantly jolted!

My heavens, just who is Miss Guo’s senior brother?!

"Master, calm down first. Forgive Junior Sister. She already did very well last night!"

"If I don’t punish her properly, she’ll hurt people again next time."

"Let’s use another method. What era is this? Why are you still using corporal punishment?"

"You’re right. Then from today onward, I’ll cast her out of the family."

Lao Guo spoke the harshest words in the gentlest tone, directly stripping Guo Furong of her place in the household. To Guo Furong, this was indeed the ultimate punishment. She stared at Chu Yang with murderous eyes.

Chu Yang shrugged and said with a smile, "No need to thank me."

Guo Furong instantly cried even louder.

Chu Yang said with satisfaction, "Junior Sister looks deeply moved. She must have understood Master’s painstaking intentions. Why not let her cry for a while? Let’s go up to the second floor and talk."

Lao Guo nodded and headed upstairs first without even looking at Guo Furong.

Chu Yang patted Guo Furong on the head. "Stop crying. Your father is just scaring you. But don’t even think about going home for a while. Find somewhere to stay for now."

With tears and snot all over her face, Guo Furong said, "If I can’t even go home, where else can I go?"

Chu Yang asked in surprise, "Didn’t you still want to roam the Jianghu?"

Guo Furong hurriedly shook her head. "I’m not doing that anymore. Demons are far more terrifying than I imagined. If I run into one again, I really will die at a demon’s hands. Senior Brother Zhui Feng and the others used to tell me demons were nowhere near this scary. They were either foxes or dogs, or maybe cats…"

Chu Yang said helplessly, "Then just find somewhere to stay. This inn is pretty good. Everyone has gone through hardship together."

"Yes, yes!" Tong Xiangyu took Guo Furong’s hand and comforted her. "Don’t be afraid. Stay here with me. When your father calms down, you can go back."

"Thank you, shopkeeper!" Feeling someone’s concern, Guo Furong burst into loud sobs.

Chu Yang shook his head and turned to head upstairs.

After he left, Bai Zhantang sneaked over to Guo Furong’s side and cautiously asked, "Little Guo, what’s the background of that senior brother of yours?"

Guo Furong glanced at him with reddened eyes and Responded in confusion, "I don’t know. Why are you asking?"

Having gotten no answer, Bai Zhantang gave an awkward laugh. "Just asking. It feels like your father respects him quite a bit."

"Oh, Zhantang, what nonsense are you spouting?" Tong Xiangyu glared at him reproachfully. "He’s her master. Since when is ‘respect’ used to describe how a master treats a disciple?"

Bai Zhantang apologized profusely.

Guo Furong found him a little strange, but on second thought, she had indeed felt that way before.

Meanwhile, Guo Bu Jing was already kneeling on one knee in the room. No matter how Chu Yang tried to pull him up, he refused to rise.

"My daughter deserves death for placing Your Highness in such a perilous situation. This subject has failed Your Highness!"

"That’s enough. I’m fine. Let this matter end here. Later, have those people get their stories straight and keep Furong out of this."

"How can that be? According to Ming Dynasty law, she should face punishment."

"Quit babbling. Am I the prince, or are you the prince? Do I need you teaching me how to do things? I’ve given you a way out, so take it."

If not for this trip, who knew when Chu Yang would have been able to enter the Soul Palace? It could be considered a blessing in disguise.

Besides, Chu Yang did not believe Guo Bu Jing was putting on this self-punishing act solely to send his daughter to prison.

Why put on Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio when they were both old foxes…

"This subject thanks Your Highness!"

Lao Guo rose with a grateful expression, cupping his fists.

"In the entire capital, only you still respect me, this useless prince."

Chu Yang shook his head and laughed.

At this point, the conversation had essentially run its course.

Even Lao Guo, the Chief Constable of Six Doors and an Imperial Guards instructor, did not dare continue the topic.

"Your Highness was in danger, and His Majesty was deeply concerned. The Eastern Depot, which is responsible for Your Highness’s safety, will inevitably receive a severe reprimand. I feared Cao Zhengchun might take his anger out on Your Highness, so I came personally to escort you back to the capital."

Lao Guo’s concern was not without reason. The emperor only cared that if Chu Yang died outside, it would disgrace the royal family and might affect his own reputation.

As for whether Chu Yang lost an arm or a leg, or was ambushed on the road and beaten into an idiot, the emperor did not care.

The pressure he placed on Cao Zhengchun likely also carried the intention of deliberately using Cao Zhengchun to make Chu Yang suffer.

"That sounds rather nice. Rather than being responsible for my safety, you might as well say you’re monitoring me. Without the Eastern Depot diligently doing its job all these years, the one sitting on the Dragon Throne probably wouldn’t even be able to enjoy a meal."

"After all, in our Zhu clan, brothers turning against each other and uncles bullying their nephews are everyday occurrences…"

Chu Yang chuckled, his expression amused.

Lao Guo’s scalp went numb as he listened. The Prince Xian before him seemed like a completely different person. In the past, he would never have said such things; speaking cautiously had always been his norm.

"They say that after facing a life-and-death crisis, a person’s temperament changes drastically. Seeing it today, it seems that was no Hollow claim."

Lao Guo tactfully reminded Chu Yang to watch his words. If he continued speaking like that, Lao Guo would have to slip away as well.

"Sorry to make you come all this way, but there’s no need to escort me back to the capital. It wasn’t easy for me to get out for once. I want to look around and visit a few friends before returning."

Chu Yang politely declined Lao Guo’s goodwill.

"I’m afraid that is not for Your Highness to decide. The Eastern Depot’s people are likely already on the road. Before long, they will reach Seven Heroes Town. When that happens, they will not be as easy to reason with as this subject."

Lao Guo spoke softly, trying his best to appear a little more amiable.

"Then we’ll wait for them. I’ll explain everything clearly to them before setting out."

Chu Yang sat down unhurriedly, picked up the empty teapot on the table, and gave it a shake. Smiling, he said, "Master, please pour me a cup of tea."

"Your Highness!"

Lao Guo felt that Chu Yang could not distinguish what was important. In his anxiety, he directly grabbed Chu Yang’s arm, intending to take him away.

Yet Chu Yang was not pulled up as expected. Instead, the force coming through Lao Guo’s hand felt immensely heavy, giving him the illusion that he was supporting a ten-thousand-jin boulder.

Lao Guo normally trained by lifting ten-thousand-jin stone locks and was extremely familiar with that weight, so doubts immediately began to arise in his heart.

"Your Highness?"

Refusing to believe it, Lao Guo exerted all his strength to pull Chu Yang up.

Even when the veins in both his arms bulged, his face turned red, and he unleashed strength exceeding ten thousand jin, the other party still did not react in the slightest.

"Go pour me a pot of tea."

Chu Yang looked at him with a smile.

Lao Guo immediately looked as if he had encountered something utterly terrifying. He kept backing away, disbelief appearing on his face.

"That demon… was killed by Your Highness?"

"Yes."

The room fell into brief silence.

Lao Guo took a deep breath and shook his head. "I do not believe a person’s martial talent could undergo such an immense change in so short a time. The current situation can only mean that, for a very long time, Your Highness has been concealing your strength and biding your time…"

Chu Yang considered it and realized that, from another person’s perspective, it did indeed seem that way. His actions even carried the air of a rebel, leaving him somewhat helpless.

Sure enough.

The next moment.

Lao Guo said firmly, "I will never rebel with Your Highness. Give up on that idea!"

It’s the start of the month—please vote with your monthly tickets, everyone!